US defence chief Pete Hegseth met Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jnr on Friday, saying the two countries must stand “shoulder to shoulder” in the face of the threat represented by China.
Hegseth’s meeting at the presidential palace in Manila comes as he opens a tour of Pacific allies that risks being overshadowed by a mounting scandal over leaked plans for military strikes.
“Deterrence is necessary around the world but specifically in this region, in your country, considering the threats from the Communist Chinese,” he said.
Hegseth’s Manila visit, to be followed by trips to Tokyo and World War II battleground Iwo Jima, follows months of confrontations between Philippine and Chinese vessels in the disputed South China Sea.
Beijing claims almost the entirety of the crucial waterway, despite an international ruling that its assertion has no merit.
“Friends need to stand shoulder to shoulder to deter conflict to ensure that there’s free navigation, whether you call it the South China Sea or the West Philippine Sea,” Hegseth said.
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